An Act To Amend the Charter of the Lucerne-in-Maine Village Corporation

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  this legislation makes changes to the qualifications for membership on the Board of Overseers of the Lucerne-in-Maine Village Corporation; and

Whereas,  the Board of Overseers of the Lucerne-in-Maine Village Corporation holds its meeting in the summer and the changes made by this legislation may not take effect before the date of the meeting if this legislation is not enacted as an emergency; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. P&SL 1927, c. 43, §7-A, first ¶,  as enacted by P&SL 1983, c. 42, §7, is amended to read:

Sec. 7-A. Officers; adoption of bylaws; officers to be sworn; treasurer to give bond; budget committee established. The officers of the corporation shall be are a board of 3 overseers, a treasurer, a clerk and such other officers as the bylaws of the corporation may require. The Board of Overseers, when elected as provided below in this section, shall forthwith proceed to appoint a treasurer , and a clerk to serve at their pleasure the pleasure of the board. Any nonresident officers shall be permanent residents of an area included within a radius of 25 miles of the fire station at Lucerne-in-Maine. Officers shall serve until their successors have been are sworn and duly qualified.

Sec. 2. P&SL 1927, c. 43, §7-A, 5th ¶,  as amended by P&SL 1997, c. 24, §1, is further amended to read:

Commencing at the 1984 summer meeting and for even-numbered years thereafter, a nonresident voter shall must be elected to serve a 3-year term as overseer. Commencing at the 1985 summer meeting and for odd-numbered years thereafter, a resident voter shall must be elected to serve a 3-year term as an overseer. Commencing at the 1997 summer meeting and for each year after the 1997 at any summer meeting before the 2012 summer meeting, any legal voter of the village corporation may be elected for a 3-year term as an overseer if the election of that overseer does not place all resident or nonresident overseers in office at the same time. A person may run for the office of overseer for as many terms as that person is nominated. At the first Board of Overseers' meeting following each summer meeting, they the board shall choose a chair for the ensuing year.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the charter of the Lucerne-in-Maine Village Corporation to remove the requirement that a nonresident member of the Board of Overseers must reside within 25 miles of the Lucerne-in-Maine fire station and a restriction on the staggering of terms.